OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of simulation training on pediatric residents’ acquisition and retention of central venous catheter insertion skills. A secondary objective was to assess the effect of simulation training on self-confidence to perform the procedure.

DESIGN: Prospective observational pilot study.

SETTING: Single university clinical simulation center.

SUBJECTS: Pediatric residents, postgraduate years 1-3.

INTERVENTIONS: Residents participated in a 60- to 90-minute ultrasound-guided central venous catheter simulation training session. Video recordings of residents performing simulated femoral central venous catheter insertions were made before (baseline), after, and at 3-month following training. Three blinded expert raters independently scored the performances using a 24-item checklist and 100-mm global rating scale. At each time point, residents rated their confidence to perform the procedure on a 100-mm scale.

CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training improved pediatric residents’ central venous catheter insertion procedural skills. Decay in skills was found at 3-month follow-up. This suggests that simulation training for this procedure should occur in close temporal proximity to times when these skills would most likely be used clinically and that frequent refresher training might be beneficial to prevent skills decay.